The Best Cobblemon Strategies for Double Battles

Double battles add a new layer of strategy to Cobblemon, requiring trainers to think about team synergy, move combinations, and the ability to handle multiple opponents at once. Though double battles are not yet available in Cobblemon, it’s a good idea to start preparing for when they arrive in future updates. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best strategies for double battles and the types of Cobblemon and moves you’ll want to consider as you build your perfect double battle team.

What Are Double Battles?

In double battles, each trainer sends out two Cobblemon at the same time, allowing for more complex strategies, teamwork, and moves that affect multiple Cobblemon. Double battles demand a higher level of planning, as moves and abilities can interact in new ways to provide either advantages or risks. Team synergy, speed control, and understanding how moves can work together are key elements to winning in this format.

Key Strategies for Double Battles

1. Synergy Between Cobblemon

In double battles, having Cobblemon that work well together is more important than ever. Cobblemon with abilities or moves that complement each other can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Example Synergies:

• Drizzle and Swift Swim: A Water-type Cobblemon with Drizzle (like Pelipper) can set up rain, which activates the Swift Swim ability on a Cobblemon like Kingdra, doubling its speed. This lets Kingdra quickly overpower opponents with boosted Water-type moves.
• Levitate and Earthquake: Cobblemon with the Levitate ability, such as Rotom, can pair well with a Cobblemon that uses Earthquake, a powerful move that hits all Cobblemon on the field. The Levitate user is immune to Earthquake, allowing you to deal damage without harming your own team.
• Intimidate Support: Cobblemon with the Intimidate ability (like Arcanine) reduce the Attack stat of both opposing Cobblemon when they enter the battlefield. This can help neutralize physical attackers on the opposing team while providing a safer setup for your own strategy.

2. Targeting Multiple Cobblemon with Area-of-Effect (AoE) Moves

AoE moves, which hit all Cobblemon on the battlefield, are incredibly valuable in double battles because they allow you to damage both opponents at once. However, you need to be cautious about moves that may also damage your own Cobblemon.

Recommended AoE Moves:

• Surf (Water-type): Hits all Cobblemon on the field except the user. Ideal when paired with a Water-absorb Cobblemon like Vaporeon, which heals from Water-type moves.
• Rock Slide (Rock-type): Hits both opponents and has a chance to flinch, which can give your team a speed advantage.
• Heat Wave (Fire-type): Hits both opponents and can inflict burns, reducing their damage output.

Strategy Tip:

• When using AoE moves, make sure your team can handle or avoid the damage. For instance, using Heat Wave with a Flash Fire Cobblemon (like Arcanine) allows your second Cobblemon to power up rather than take damage.

3. Speed Control: Outpacing Your Opponents

Speed is crucial in double battles. Being able to move first allows you to potentially knock out one of the opponent’s Cobblemon before they can act, or disrupt their strategy with status moves. There are several ways to control speed in double battles:

Methods for Speed Control:

• Tailwind: Doubles the Speed of your team for four turns. Cobblemon like Togekiss or Whimsicott can use Tailwind to ensure your team moves faster than the opponents.
• Trick Room: Reverses the turn order, allowing slower Cobblemon to move first for five turns. Cobblemon like Bronzong or Porygon2 can set up Trick Room to let your slower, bulkier Cobblemon dominate the field.
• Thunder Wave: Reduces an opposing Cobblemon’s Speed by 50% and may also cause paralysis, which can be used to slow down a particularly fast opponent.

4. Defensive Strategies: Protect and Disruption Moves

Double battles often require defensive plays to manage multiple threats at once. Using moves like Protect can shield a Cobblemon from damage for a turn while its partner either sets up or targets the enemy.

Key Defensive and Disruptive Moves:

• Protect: Temporarily shields your Cobblemon from damage, allowing you to scout your opponent's moves or protect your Cobblemon from dangerous AoE attacks.
• Wide Guard: Protects your team from all AoE moves for a turn, making it useful against moves like Earthquake or Rock Slide.
• Fake Out: A priority move that causes the opponent to flinch, preventing them from using their move that turn. Fake Out is incredibly valuable for gaining an early advantage and disrupting the opponent's strategy.

Example Strategy:

• Use Fake Out with a fast Cobblemon like Incineroar to stop a key opponent from acting on the first turn, while your other Cobblemon sets up with a move like Swords Dance or Tailwind.

Team Composition for Double Battles

When building a team for double battles, you’ll need to consider how each Cobblemon can work together. A well-rounded team usually includes a mix of offensive attackers, defensive supporters, and status controllers. Below are some recommended roles and Cobblemon that could perform well in double battles once they’re introduced in future updates.

1. Rain Team Core

• Pelipper (Water/Flying) – Rain setter with Drizzle.
  • Moves: Scald, Hurricane, Tailwind, Protect
• Kingdra (Water/Dragon) – Swift Swim sweeper.
  • Moves: Hydro Pump, Draco Meteor, Ice Beam, Protect

2. Sun Team Core

• Torkoal (Fire) – Sun setter with Drought.
  • Moves: Lava Plume, Solar Beam, Protect, Stealth Rock
• Venusaur (Grass/Poison) – Chlorophyll sweeper.
  • Moves: Solar Beam, Sludge Bomb, Sleep Powder, Protect

3. Sandstorm Team Core

• Tyranitar (Rock/Dark) – Sandstorm setter with Sand Stream.
  • Moves: Stone Edge, Crunch, Protect, Dragon Dance
• Excadrill (Ground/Steel) – Sand Rush physical attacker.
  • Moves: Earthquake, Iron Head, Protect, Swords Dance

4. Trick Room Core

• Bronzong (Steel/Psychic) – Trick Room setter.
  • Moves: Trick Room, Gyro Ball, Protect, Earthquake
• Snorlax (Normal) – Slow, bulky attacker under Trick Room.
  • Moves: Body Slam, High Horsepower, Protect, Curse

Combos to Watch For in Double Battles

The key to success in double battles often lies in using combo moves that complement each other. Here are some classic combos you can plan for when double battles become available:

1. Follow Me and Setup Moves

• Togekiss can use Follow Me to redirect attacks away from a partner Cobblemon, allowing the partner to safely set up with moves like Swords Dance or Calm Mind.

2. Beat Up and Justified

• Justified is an ability that increases a Cobblemon’s Attack stat when hit by a Dark-type move. By using Beat Up on your own Justified Cobblemon (like Lucario), you can boost its Attack multiple times in a single turn.

3. Helping Hand and AoE Moves

• Helping Hand increases the damage of your partner’s move. Pair this with powerful AoE moves like Surf, Earthquake, or Rock Slide to deal heavy damage to both opponents.

Conclusion

Double battles introduce a whole new level of strategy to Cobblemon, where coordination, team synergy, and move combinations can drastically change the outcome of a match. By preparing now for when double battles are implemented in future updates, you’ll be ready to outsmart your opponents and dominate the battlefield with powerful Cobblemon combos. Whether you're planning to build a weather-based team, control speed, or disrupt the opponent's strategy with defensive moves, double battles are sure to offer exciting new challenges.

What team combinations are you looking forward to using in Cobblemon double battles? Share your ideas in our Discord!